Day 11 Africa Mission Trip 2012 (Kampala to Jinja)

It's very humbling to work with the people of Africa. They do so much with what little they have. And to see those happy smiling faces w/ pearly white teeth is amazing! We thought we're giving them gifts. Now I'm seeing they're sharing with us their gifts of contentment & gratitude!

God inspire us to share all our talents, gifts, time. money and love during this trip.  It's all about Jesus and our relationship with Him and others.  Our Medical Team we fondly call "The A Team" conquered the Light of Hope Medical Centre with the help of the holy spirit.  We are led by our fearless physician, Dawn Uithol who lovingly compromised with the current practices by Dr. Alfred  at this African medical centre. As she gladly shared with the rest of the team that Dr. Alfred and her decided to agree to disagree with several aspects of patient care and treatments.   Due to the very limited supplies and equipment at the centre the staff had to improvise in many areas of patient care.  I'm amazed at how much the staff can do with so little!

Alba my co-nurse tackled the organization of the pharmacy for easy access to medications and to identify the need to replenish certain items.  Mark installed a toilet seat and provided gel soap, toilet paper and paper towel for the staff rest room.  I was the first customer!  He also run errands for us and hand out trail mix to the kids at the centre and the church.

Elisa did a great job with keeping the children occupied with games, stickers, toys and allowing herself to be a bouncing ball most of the times.  Laura and myself became the triage staff along with Glad, the hospital staff.  By the end of the first day here last Wednesday, 1/2/13, we gradually found our place within the center.  There were some frustrations at the start because we don't know what the staff and if the staff wants us to implement changes with their patient flow and patient care. By around noon, I became Dr. Alfred's partner while Alba floated between Dawn and the pharmacy area.  By the end of the day, Dr. Alfred and myself had a great system going.  The following day, Laura became my partner with walking the patients to the pharmacy from the doctor's room after being seen and prescribed medications.  If the patient is on critical medications such as first time antihypertensives and antibiotics, I follow the patient to the labs and pharmacy to make sure they understand how to take the medications and when to return for check-up.  That's the case management and discharge planning in me!

Mark Rupp sharing trail mix with the children

Elisa playing with the kids in front of the hospital

Dr. Alfred Wakoba and Bonnie

Ellie from Gospel of Light Church

Ms. Prossy at Gospel of Light Church.  She makes us African foods

We saw young and old, male and female at this hospital.  We created a very special bond with the staff and I'm sad that yesterday was our last day at the hospital.  I'm also sad because we don't get to worship with the conference delegates at the Gospel of Light Church today.

We are heading to Jinja to join Team B at Siita Nest Orphanage.  Our A Team plans to provide medical services to the children.  I'm sure there will be adults at the medical center there.  We're having a pool party with the rest of the team and the children at Siita Nest Orphanage.